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From the dawn of time the apple has played an important role in the making of history: Adam and Eve, the battle of Troy, religious wars have started over apples and the scientific theory of gravity was conceived by watching an apple fall from a tree. This fully revised edition of the most definitive work on the subject covers the apple's origins in Kazakhstan, the history of its spread across Europe and beyond, its uses both culinary, medically and decoratively through the ages to the present day and the myriad of varieties and cultivars now available. Beautifully illustrated by RHS Gold Medal winning botanical artist, Elizabeth Dowle and written by two renowned authorities on the subject, Joan Morgan and Alison Richards, this is a vital work for every pomologist to own. The directory at the rear of the book, based on the National Collection at Brogdale, lists more than 2000 varieties, giving a summary of each variety's (cultivar's) characteristics and history. Cultivation details are also included, clearly explaining the different techniques and forms available to both the amateur and professional grower. Not just for horticulturalists, this is a fascinating history of a fruit and how it has become an international commodity. - Lucy Watson
Book Description
A new edition of the most complete guide to apple varieties and their history ever written
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
55 of 55 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I have not found a better book for those interested in apples in the UK. There is an excellent potted history, plus details of many apples varieties local and foreign. A brief guide to growing apples at the back tells you most of what you know to start a small orchard.
The descriptions of the apple varieties are what makes this book outstanding. They include details of history, appearance, flavour, shape and so on - enough not only to help identify and apple, but also to help you choose one to grow. For instance, the entry on Ashmead's Kernel gives a brief decription of its development by a Gloucester physician, describes its taste as "strong, sweet-sharp intese flavour reminiscent of fruit or acid drops", talks a bit about what it's grown for, comprehensive details of appearance, picking and storage dates. There is also a drawing to help in identification.
The one downfall of the book is the shortage of apple pictures. There are only 32 plates, all of which show apples of great interest in this country - but a poor showing nonetheless. Obviously it would require a mammoth effort to provide pictures of over 2000 apples, but a more comprehensive photo directory would have been useful. Failing that, they might have mentioned that pictures of many apples are available on the Brogdale webiste (referenced in the back - but failing to mention the availability of descriptions and photos on the website).
Although 2000+ seems a lot, there are a lot of UK apples missing. I would also have preferred that they concentrate on full coverage of the UK (for instance, they are missing several of our local cider apples), and omit some of the foreign apples.
However, this is still a great book for what it does do, and well worth having if you have even a few trees.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a very informative and useful book for anybody with more than a very cursory interest in apples - invaluable to the enthusiast and apple grower.
Fascinating chapters on the historical aspects of the apple tracing the story of the fruit from the Garden of Eden. The section from the Tudor period onward to our modern day apple is especially readable and the history of cider in Britain, America and France is informative.
The Directory which occupies more than half of the work is the main reason I want it on my reference shelves covering some 2000. It begins with explaining characters used to identify the fruit and flavour , pollination and picking are covered. There is useful information on introduction and parentage but some lack any description of the actual fruit perhaps because they are not well know in the UK. Nonetheless this is a splendid work packed with information and strongly recommended.
Fascinating chapters on the historical aspects of the apple tracing the story of the fruit from the Garden of Eden. The section from the Tudor period onward to our modern day apple is especially readable and the history of cider in Britain, America and France is informative.
The Directory which occupies more than half of the work is the main reason I want it on my reference shelves covering some 2000. It begins with explaining characters used to identify the fruit and flavour , pollination and picking are covered. There is useful information on introduction and parentage but some lack any description of the actual fruit perhaps because they are not well know in the UK. Nonetheless this is a splendid work packed with information and strongly recommended.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3 reviews
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful
"Apples" found wanting
4 Nov 2008
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The first half of "The New Book of Apples" provides a very fine overview of the origin, history, and uses of apples. However, the second half, the Directory of Apples is such a bare-bones overview of most species - except the best known - as to be of minimal worth, and some species that I enjoyed this summer are missing entirely. This latter section needs to be at least doubled in quantity and quality of information. Truly disappointing after a good start.
7 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Wonderful illustrations.
16 Oct 2006
Format:Hardcover
The definitive book on apples if you are interested in all the varieties. For further and wider apple reading try Browning's Apples the Fruit of Temptation, and Juniper's The Story of the Apple.
1 of 6 people found the following review helpful
not what I had hoped
24 Oct 2010
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was looking for a book which would help me choose apple trees with regard to their pollinators and disease resistance.
This book is a history of apple cultivation. Nice, but without the facts I need to make choices in the present.
This book is a history of apple cultivation. Nice, but without the facts I need to make choices in the present.
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